The ASOC Renewable Energy & Sustainability Fund was established by students of Occidental College to help fund for projects that make Occidental a more environmentally sustainable community. Our mission is to improve Occidental by empowering students to carry out their own visions for sustainability; we do this by funding projects that make Oxy’s campus a better place to study and live while also combating climate change.
Click here for the 2012 committee member application
Download funding application here. Completed applications can be emailed to asocsustainabilityfund@gmail.com.
The reusable take-out box or "Eco-clamshell Program" was started by students
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Fund:
Who can apply?
Any individual or entity affiliated with Occidental College, including students, student clubs, faculty, classes, staff and administrators, alumni, and departments of the College.
How can you apply?
Applications for funding are available here and can be submitted to asocsustainabilityfund@gmail.com when complete. Applications are accepted and evaluated on a rolling basis.
What kinds of projects will the Fund pay for?
The Fund will pay for projects that make Occidental more environmentally sustainable. At least 50 percent of funding is required to go to permanent changes to the college’s infrastructure, buildings, or landscaping. The fund may also pay for one-time events or ongoing campaigns to raise environmental awareness; research or academic programming related to the environment; etc.
What kinds of projects will the Fund not pay for?
The Fund will not pay for personal property for one or a small number of people (for example, it will not buy a student an energy efficient computer for personal use). It will also not pay for projects without a strong link to Occidental College, members of the Occidental community, and/or the Occidental Campus (for example, the fund would not pay for an environmental project sponsored by a single alumni in the community where the alumni lives; however the Fund will consider projects that are not entirely located on the Occidental campus if they involve Occidental and bring environmental benefits to the College.)
How much money can you ask for? Where does the money come from?
The Fund will consider applications for between $100 and $10,000 per year. Last year, students passed an amendment to the ASOC constitution requiring all students to pay a $10 fee per semester that goes directly toward the fund.
How should you show that you have the authority or approval to conduct a project?
Make sure that you have approval to conduct the project for which you are applying for funding. For example, if your project will alter the buildings or grounds of the College, you will probably need approval from the Facilities department and/or the administration of Occidental. If your project will take place in a dorm setting you may need approval from Residence Life. If your project will take place as part of a class, you may need approval from a professor and/or academic department. The best way to show approval for a project is to submit your application jointly with the person or department that has the authority to approve the project. The other way to show approval is to submit the signature and contact information of the person with authority. If you are in discussions with the person with authority but have not yet received final approval, you can submit an application but funding for your project will be contingent on the project receiving approval.
Who decides what projects get funded?
The Fund is overseen by a committee consisting of ten Occidental students, one administrator, and one faculty. The committee meets bi-weekly to evaluate all proposals and pick the projects that will do the most to advance sustainability at Occidental. This list of funded projects will be submitted to the ASOC senate, which must ratify it before money is dispersed.
When will money be available for funded projects?
Funds are available now!